BRISBANE CONVENTION CENTRE PLANS FOR FUTURE GROWTH
Published Monday, 11 December, 2006 at 02:53 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
The Queensland Government is considering a major expansion of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre to ensure that Brisbane stays a prime destination for national and international conferences and conventions.
Premier Peter Beattie and Treasurer Anna Bligh jointly announced the Government would spend $3.4 million on design work for a new construction phase to expand the centre’s capacity to stage medium size conferences for 400 to 600 delegates.
“The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition is an ideal venue for major exhibitions like Boat Shows, Motor Shows and major international conventions and conferences and that won’t change,” Mr Beattie said.
“But a recent study has revealed there is a growing trend towards smaller conferences of 400 to 600 people and it’s that market we are now targeting.
“We can’t afford to be caught flat footed,” Mr Beattie said.
“Given the long lead-up time for construction projects of this size and scope it is important to get the detailed design and planning work done now.
“The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre has a well deserved reputation nationally and internationally for its ability to host big events. The Great Hall can seat up to 4000 people, the Plaza Ballroom can stage a Banquet for 1200 people and there are 17 multi purpose meeting rooms.
“In 2005-06 the centre hosted 876 events with its reputation as a destination and venue of choice resulting in forward bookings of more than 800 events, including 155 conventions, through to 2013.
“But research shows an emerging trend for medium size conferences and events of between 400 and 600 people and it is that market we want to capture,” Mr Beattie said.
“The expansion would enable the centre to increase the number of conferences it can accommodate.”
Ms Bligh said the preliminary cost estimate of the expansion was approximately $100 million.
“We will have a firmer cost estimate after detailed design work has been completed. This design work is expected to start immediately and take about six months,” she said.
“Subject to construction funding being approved by the Government, the centre could be completed in early 2009.
“The design works will include full architectural drawings, including site plans, elevations and floor plans, and engineers’ designs.
“Key components being considered will be 600 and 400 seat tiered plenary halls, breakout rooms, additional foyer and exhibition space, and ground floor restaurant and retail areas.”
Ms Bligh said the centre had been designed to enable the centre to grow to meet the needs of the city and the convention market.
“Two vacant sites in Grey Street, South Bank, adjacent to the existing centre, have always been earmarked for the centre’s expansion.
“It is estimated that expanding the Convention Centre would result in a net economic benefit of about $100 million to the state over the next 20 years and generate about 220 ongoing full-time jobs across Queensland.”
Ms Bligh said since opening in 1995 the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre had become an important commercial drawcard for the city.
“However competition within the convention market has become increasingly tough with Perth opening a new facility and new complexes planned in Melbourne and Darwin,” she said.
“We have to continuously look to the future and stay one step ahead of our competitors.
“The expansion will make the Convention Centre a more attractive choice and improve its competitiveness with centres in other capital cities.
“It will also complement our Government’s commitment at the election to expand the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.”
Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Treasurer’s office 3224 6900
11 December 2006
Premier Peter Beattie and Treasurer Anna Bligh jointly announced the Government would spend $3.4 million on design work for a new construction phase to expand the centre’s capacity to stage medium size conferences for 400 to 600 delegates.
“The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition is an ideal venue for major exhibitions like Boat Shows, Motor Shows and major international conventions and conferences and that won’t change,” Mr Beattie said.
“But a recent study has revealed there is a growing trend towards smaller conferences of 400 to 600 people and it’s that market we are now targeting.
“We can’t afford to be caught flat footed,” Mr Beattie said.
“Given the long lead-up time for construction projects of this size and scope it is important to get the detailed design and planning work done now.
“The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre has a well deserved reputation nationally and internationally for its ability to host big events. The Great Hall can seat up to 4000 people, the Plaza Ballroom can stage a Banquet for 1200 people and there are 17 multi purpose meeting rooms.
“In 2005-06 the centre hosted 876 events with its reputation as a destination and venue of choice resulting in forward bookings of more than 800 events, including 155 conventions, through to 2013.
“But research shows an emerging trend for medium size conferences and events of between 400 and 600 people and it is that market we want to capture,” Mr Beattie said.
“The expansion would enable the centre to increase the number of conferences it can accommodate.”
Ms Bligh said the preliminary cost estimate of the expansion was approximately $100 million.
“We will have a firmer cost estimate after detailed design work has been completed. This design work is expected to start immediately and take about six months,” she said.
“Subject to construction funding being approved by the Government, the centre could be completed in early 2009.
“The design works will include full architectural drawings, including site plans, elevations and floor plans, and engineers’ designs.
“Key components being considered will be 600 and 400 seat tiered plenary halls, breakout rooms, additional foyer and exhibition space, and ground floor restaurant and retail areas.”
Ms Bligh said the centre had been designed to enable the centre to grow to meet the needs of the city and the convention market.
“Two vacant sites in Grey Street, South Bank, adjacent to the existing centre, have always been earmarked for the centre’s expansion.
“It is estimated that expanding the Convention Centre would result in a net economic benefit of about $100 million to the state over the next 20 years and generate about 220 ongoing full-time jobs across Queensland.”
Ms Bligh said since opening in 1995 the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre had become an important commercial drawcard for the city.
“However competition within the convention market has become increasingly tough with Perth opening a new facility and new complexes planned in Melbourne and Darwin,” she said.
“We have to continuously look to the future and stay one step ahead of our competitors.
“The expansion will make the Convention Centre a more attractive choice and improve its competitiveness with centres in other capital cities.
“It will also complement our Government’s commitment at the election to expand the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.”
Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Treasurer’s office 3224 6900
11 December 2006